U.S. patent number 3,858,829 [Application Number 05/208,331] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-07 for cartridge for a coil of flexible strip material.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bell & Howell Company. Invention is credited to Gordon E. Bradt, Richard Frystak, Nicholas Mischenko, Edward R. Prelletz.
United States Patent |
3,858,829 |
Bradt , et al. |
* January 7, 1975 |
CARTRIDGE FOR A COIL OF FLEXIBLE STRIP MATERIAL
Abstract
A cartridge for a strip of flexible material, preferably film,
adapted for use with a projector having automatic feed-out means,
basically comprising a reel receptacle and a cover. The receptacle
has a substantially planar back portion. The cover fits over the
receptacle to substantially enclose a reel, and has a substantially
planar front portion. A feed-out aperture is provided in the
cartridge to permit the entry of feed-out means into the cartridge
and the egress of flexible strip material out of the cartridge. An
arcuate guide extends within the cartridge from one end of the
feed-out aperture annularly within the reel receptacle to the
opposite end of the feed-out aperture and is positioned to
penetrate the space between the flanges of the reel. Locking tabs
and apertures are provided to interlock several cartridges together
in a stacked relationship and for attaching the cartridge to the
projector. Additional mounting and positioning elements are also
provided.
Inventors: |
Bradt; Gordon E. (Wilmette,
IL), Frystak; Richard (Park Ridge, IL), Mischenko;
Nicholas (Chicago, IL), Prelletz; Edward R. (Chicago,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Bell & Howell Company
(Chicago, IL)
|
[*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent
subsequent to December 21, 1988 has been disclaimed. |
Family
ID: |
26903105 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/208,331 |
Filed: |
December 15, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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826045 |
Apr 21, 1969 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/337;
242/346.1; 242/356.7; 352/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B
21/323 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03B
21/32 (20060101); G03b 001/04 (); G11b 015/32 ();
G11b 023/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;242/197,192,195
;206/52F,53,59F ;220/97R-97F,6R ;352/72-78 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Christian; Leonard D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hume, Clement, Brinks, Willian,
Olds & Cook, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
This application is a division of co-pending Application Ser. No.
826,045, filed Apr. 21, 1969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,753.
Claims
We claim:
1. In a cartridge which has a reel receptacle for receiving a coil
of flexible strip material on a reel and a cover for said reel
receptacle and which is adapted for use with automatic strip
feed-out means, the combination comprising:
means forming an aperture in said cartridge to permit the entry of
feed-out means into said cartridge and the egress of flexible strip
material out of said cartridge; and
guide means extending within said cartridge from one end of said
aperture annularly about the central interior of said reel
receptacle to the opposite end of said aperture and positioned to
penetrate the space between the flanges of the reel for maintaining
the flexible strip material within the diameter of the reel flanges
except in the region of said apertures, said guide means having a
flexible end position to facilitate insertion of the reel into the
reel receptacle and removal of the reel from the reel
receptacle.
2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture is
configurated to have a first portion of width dimension less than
the spacing between the flanges of the reel for guiding entry of
feed-out film engaging means into the space between the flanges of
the reel and a second portion contiguous with said first portion
but of greater width dimension to permit egress of the flexible
strip material from said cartridge.
3. The combination defined in claim 1 further comprising means
forming a second aperture in said cartridge for receiving a rewind
drive puck, said guide means for at least the extent of said second
aperture opening being entirely within the diameter of the flanges
of the reel to permit the drive puck to contact the flange rim to
rotate said reel for rewind.
4. In a cartridge for containing a coil of flexible strip material
on a reel and having a substantially planar back portion, a
substantially planar front portion, and a substantially planar
bottom portion, the combination comprising:
means forming an exit opening in the bottom portion of said
cartridge to permit the egress of flexible strip material out of
said cartridge;
a plurality of latching tabs protruding from the back portion of
said cartridge; and
means forming a plurality of compatibly positioned and configurated
latching tab receiving apertures in the front portion of said
cartridge for enabling plural cartridges to be latched together in
a stacked relationship wherein each of said stacked cartridges is
operable to enable said flexible strip of material to be removed
therefrom.
5. The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said latching tabs
and said latching tab receiving apertures are each oriented in a
plane substantially perpendicular to said bottom portion.
6. The combination defined in claim 4 further comprising:
positioning ribbing protruding from the back portion of said
cartridge; and
means forming compatibly positioned and configurated positioning
ribbing receiving grooving in the front portion of said cartridge
for stabilizing stacked plural cartridges against movement with
respect to one another.
7. In a film cartridge which has a reel receptacle for receiving
and circumferentially encompassing a coil of film on a reel and a
cover for said reel receptacle and which is adapted for use with a
projector having a film feed-out mechanism, the combination
comprising:
means forming an aperture in an edge portion of said cartridge to
permit the entry of said feed-out mechanism into said cartridge and
the egress of film from the cartridge; and
a guide element extending within said cartridge from one end of
said aperture annularly about the central interior of said reel
receptacle to the opposite end of said aperture and positioned to
penetrate the space between the flanges of the reel for maintaining
the film within the diameter of the reel flanges except in the
region of said aperture, said guide element having a flexible end
position to facilitate insertion of the reel into the reel
receptacle and removal of the reel from the reel receptacle.
8. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein said aperture is
configurated to have a first portion of width dimension less than
the spacing between the flanges of the reel for guiding entry of
feed-out film engaging means into the space between the flanges of
the reel and a second portion contiguous with said first portion
but of greater width dimension to permit egress of the flexible
strip material from said cartridge.
9. The combination defined in claim 7 further comprising means
forming a second aperture in said cartridge for receiving a rewind
drive puck, said guide means for at least the extent of said second
aperture opening being entirely within the diameter of the flanges
of the reel to permit the drive puck to contact the flange rim to
rotate said reel for rewind.
10. A cartridge supporting a reel of film and adapted for use with
feed-out mechanism for loading a projector and an interconnecting
means for attaching the cartridge to the projector comprising:
locating means including at least one abutment extending from the
projector;
a mounting aperture in the cartridge for receiving said
abutment;
a projection extending from the cartridge; and
a recess in the projector for cooperating with and for frictionally
receiving said projection and cooperating with said abutment and
said mounting aperture to frictionally secure the cartridge to the
projector.
11. A cartridge as defined in claim 10 wherein said projection
includes a flexible tab and said recess includes an indentation for
receiving said flexible tab.
12. A cartridge as defined in claim 10 wherein said projection
includes a pair of parallel ribs extending along the cartridge and
said recess includes a groove extending along the projector for
receiving said pair of parallel ribs to prevent displacement of the
cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the length of said
ribs.
13. A cartridge as defined in claim 10 wherein said projection
includes a pair of parallel ribs extending along the cartridge and
includes a pair of flexible tabs located in longitudinal alignment
with said pair of parallel ribs, and wherein said recess includes a
groove extending along the projector for receiving said pair of
parallel ribs to prevent displacement of the cartridge in a
direction perpendicular to the length of said ribs, said recess
includes indentations located in longitudinal alignment with said
groove to receive said pair of flexible tabs in a manner to hold
said pair of parallel ribs in said groove.
14. A cartridge as defined in claim 10 wherein said locating means
includes at least one abutment for engaging an exterior surface of
the cartridge to assist in locating the cartridge on the projector.
Description
The present invention relates to an improved cartridge for a strip
of flexible material on a reel, and more specifically to an
improved cartridge adapted for use in conjunction with an automatic
feed-out apparatus.
Generally, the present invention relates to an improved cartridge
for a strip of flexible material (sometimes referred to as a "web")
on a reel, and comprises basically a reel receptacle and a cover.
The reel receptacle has a flat back portion and a circular reel
spacer ridge on the back portion, which keeps a reel inserted into
the receptacle from being in direct contact with the entire back
portion. An arcuate guide member is mounted on and spaced from the
back portion and positioned to penetrate the space between the
flanges of a reel along a portion of the reel when it is positioned
in the receptacle. The cover is adapted to fit over the reel
receptacle, and to substantially enclose a reel in the receptacle.
The cover has an internal reel spacer ridge and a central, internal
reel-bearing projection which is located to penetrate the central
opening in the hub of a reel positioned in the receptacle. The reel
receptacle and the cover are constructed and arranged in a manner
to form a threading aperture on the bottom end of the assembled
cartridge to permit a strip of flexible material to be drawn from
the reel out of the cartridge.
The invention also provides a method for estimating the amount of
material on a reel by projecting a light beam in a manner so that
it is at least partially interrupted or masked according to the
amount of material on the reel. The beam is collected on a
collection surface, and the surface is read to provide an estimate
of the amount of material remaining on the reel. The cartridge of
the present invention may also be modified to include a scale
positioned for illumination by a beam of light from an external
source passing upwardly through the cartridge and between the
flanges of a reel in the cartridge. The external light source is
positioned so that the passage of the light beam is at least
partially masked by material on the reel before the light strikes
the scale.
The invention, its construction and method of operation, together
with the preferred embodiments thereof, will be best understood by
reference to the following detailed description, taken together
with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a reel receptacle constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 with a reel
inserted therein;
FIG. 3 is a right-hand side view of the reel receptacle shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the inside of a cover adapted for use
with the receptacle of FIGS. 1-4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled film cartridge
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the film cartridge of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a back view of the film cartridge of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a side view of a pair of film cartridges similar to
those shown in FIGS. 7-9 in interlocked relationship;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a projector
incorporating an automatic feed-out module adapted for use with the
film cartridge of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a front view of a cartridge constructed in accordance
with the present invention, illustrating the use of the scale;
FIG. 13 is a front view of a reel receptacle illustrating a second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the reel receptacle shown in FIG. 13,
illustrating the manner in which a reel is inserted;
FIG. 15 is a rear view showing the inside of a cover adapted for
use with the receptacle shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;
FIG. 16 is a front view of a dual-reel cartridge constructed in
accordance with the present invention, shown with one of the covers
removed;
FIG. 17 is a front view of a rotatable cartridge for a plurality of
reels; and
FIG. 18 is a back view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 17.
As previously mentioned, the cartridge of the present invention may
be employed for a strip of flexible material on a reel. Thus, the
cartridge of the present invention is adapted for use on both tape
recorders and film projectors having automatic feed-out means.
However, the preferred embodiments illustrated are primarily
intended for use with a film projector having an automatic feed-out
module, and therefore will be discussed herein in that context, it
being understood that the invention is not limited to use with
films.
The film cartridge of the present invention basically comprises a
reel receptacle and a cover, shown in assembled relationship in
FIG. 7. In the following detailed description of the invention, the
cartridge will be discussed in the orientation shown in FIG. 7,
which is the preferred orientation for delivery to an automatic
feed-out module. However, it should be understood that references
to the orientation of the cartridge, such as references to the
"top" or "bottom" thereof, are used for convenience only, and do
not mean that the operation or storage of the cartridge must be
limited to that particular orientation.
A reel receptacle constructed in accordance with the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1, wherein it is generally designated by
reference numeral 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the receptacle 10 is
adapted to receive a conventional reel 12 having a central aperture
13 in the hub thereof. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, and more especially
to FIG. 1, the reel receptacle 10 has a flat back portion 14 upon
which a circular reel spacer ridge 16 is formed. As shown in FIG.
4, the reel spacer ridge 16 projects outwardly from the back
portion 14 of the receptacle 10 only a small distance, and
functions to maintain a reel in spaced relationship with the back
portion 14.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the reel receptacle 10 has an outer wall 18
which is perpendicular to the flat back portion 14 and runs around
a major portion of the perimeter of the reel receptacle 10.
Portions of the outer wall 18 are slightly set in from the outer
edge of the back portion 14 in order to form a flange 19 to
facilitate mounting of the cover means, as will hereinafter
appear.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, an arcuate film guide member 20 is
mounted in spaced relationship from the flat back portion 14 of the
cartridge 10. The film guide member 20 is positioned to penetrate
the space between the flanges of a reel 12, and has a flexible end
portion 22 which is free to move outwardly to a second position 22'
to facilitate the insertion of a reel 12 into the receptacle 10.
The film guide member 20, of course, does not completely surround
the reel 12, since it must be open at the bottom to permit film to
be withdrawn from the cartridge. Therefore, the film guide number
20 surrounds only an upper portion of the film in the reel 12. The
arcuate film guide member 20 is preferably generally concentric
with the reel spacer ridge 16, and is connected to the outer wall
18 by a plurality f connecting members 24. Of course, any mounting
means may be employed, so long as they maintain the film guide
member 20 in spaced relationship with the back portion 14, while
permitting the guide member 20 to penetrate the space between the
flanges of a reel 12. As also shown in FIG. 1, the reel receptacle
10 has a film feed-out guide 26, which insures that film will be
fed out of the cartridge of the present invention in the proper
direction for engagement with an automatic threading projector.
As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the side of the reel receptacle 10
preferably has a rewind opening 28 in the outer wall 18, which
permits a drive puck to contact the rim of a reel 12, as
hereinafter described.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a cover for use with the receptacle 10
is generally designated by reference numeral 40. The cover 40 has a
flat inside face portion 42 and an outer wall 44 which is generally
perpendicular to the face portion 42. The outer wall 44 is
positioned to fit over the outer wall 18 on the reel receptacle 10,
to form a unitary cartridge as shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIGS.
5 and 6, the cover 40 has a central, internal, generally
cylindrical reel-bearing projection 46 which projects a distance
about equal to the internal thickness of the fully assembled
cartridge. In any event, it is necessary that the reel-bearing
projection be located to penetrate the central opening in the hub
of a reel 12 positioned with the reel receptacle 10. It is also
important that the reel-bearing projection 46 be of a length
sufficient to penetrate the central aperture 13 of the reel 12 a
distance sufficient to form a bearing surface for rotation of the
reel 12. The reel-bearing projection 46 is surrounded by a circular
reel spacer ridge 48 which is preferably concentric with the
reel-bearing projection 46. It is the function of the reel spacer
ridge 48 to prevent the reel from contacting the flat face portion
42 of the cover 40, so that excessive friction is prevented while
proper alignment is maintained. As with the reel receptacle 10, the
cover 40 incorporates a film feed-out guide 50 which will be
oppositely disposed from the film feed-out guide 26 in the
receptacle 10 when the cartridge is assembled. These film feed-out
guides 26, 50 both insure that the film is properly fed into the
mechanism of an automatic threading projector.
As shown most clearly in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the cartridge
receptacle 10 of the present invention has one or more reel
positioner abutments 49, which contact the reel rim and aid in
properly positioning the reel 12 when the cover 40 is placed on the
receptacle 10. These positioner abutments 49 prevent excessive
displacement of the reel 12, but do not contact the reel rim after
the cover 40 has been put in place. After the cover 40 is in place,
the reel is positioned by the reel-bearing projection 46.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment, the cover 40 has a
plurality of stop pins 52 which contact the outer wall 18 of the
receptacle 10 to insure proper positioning of the cover 40 on the
receptacle 10.
The fully assembled cartridge, comprising the receptacle 10 and
cover 40 is shown in FIG. 7. When ready for use, the complete
cartridge will also contain a reel 12 of film or the like. As shown
in FIG. 8, when the reel receptacle and cover are assembled to form
a cartridge, they are constructed and arranged in a manner to form
a threading aperture 54 on the bottom of the cartridge, to permit a
strip of film to be drawn from a reel 12 located within the
cartridge. As shown in FIG. 8, the reel receptacle 10 is
constructed to form a pair of mounting apertures 55 in the
underside of the completed cartridge, these mounting apertures
being positioned to engage positioning pins when the cartridge is
mounted on a projector. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 7, the receptacle 10 and cover 40 also form a rewind opening
56 on the side of the cartridge.
Referring to FIG. 9, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention has a pair of horizontal, parallel ribs 60 which project
rearwardly from the exterior of the reel receptacle 10. These ribs
60 perform the dual function of aiding in the proper vertical
alignment of the cartridge in a projector, and also of aiding in
properly aligning the cartridges when two or more cartridges are
stacked, as hereinafter described. A pair of mounting tabs 62,
which are also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, project rearwardly from the
exterior of the reel receptacle 10, and also aid in mounting the
cartridge on a projector, and in interconnecting a plurality of
cartridges. The tabs 62 in the preferred embodiment are flexible
and engage the housing of the projector through the indentations 92
(FIG. 11). The resiliency of the tabs 62 provides a friction or
"snap" fit between the cartridge and the projector or between two
or more cartridges as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
Referring again to FIG. 7, in the most preferred embodiment, the
exterior of the cover 40 has an elongated, horizontal indentation
or groove 64 and a pair of apertures 66, which are positioned to
receive the ribs 60 and mounting tabs 62, respectively, to permit a
plurality of cartridges to be stacked, as shown in FIG. 10. It will
be readily appreciated that the stacked cartridges shown in FIG. 10
are suitably arranged such that any one of the cartridges may be
placed in its operative position on a projector so as to enable
projection of the film contained therein.
The manner in which the cartridge of the present invention mounts
on a projector, generally 80, having an automatic feed-out module,
generally 82, is illustrated in FIG. 11. A description of the
automatic feed-out module 82 will be found in the co-pending
application of Edward R. Prelletz et al., filed the same day as the
present application and assigned to the assignee of the present
application. Although the automatic feed-out module 82 does not
form part of the present invention, a brief description will aid in
the understanding of the manner in which the cartridge of the
present invention co-operates with it. The feed-out module 82 has a
horizontal cartridge seat 84 upon which the cartridge, shown by
phantom lines, rests. The mounting apertures 55 on the end of the
cartridge are engaged by a pair of locating pins 86, and the
cartridge is also positioned by a pair of vertical abutments 88 on
the edge of the seat 84. Finally, the cartridge is vertically
positioned by a horizontal groove on the feed-out module 82, which
receives the parallel ribs 60 on the back of the reel receptacle
10. Indentations 92 on the sides of the feed-out module 82 are
positioned to receive the mounting tabs 62. Thus, the seat 84, the
locating pins 86, the vertical abutments 88, the horizontal groove
90, and the indentations 92, which engaged the mounting tabs 62 all
serve to properly position the cartridge on the automatic feed-out
module. Of course, as is obvious from the drawing, proper
positioning could also be obtained by the use of only one rib on
the back of the cartridge, with a corresponding abutment on the
automatic feed-out module 82. This is clear, since the only
function of the ribs is to prevent the cartridge from being
displaced in an upward direction when mounted on the projector,
downward displacement being impossible because of the horizontal
seat 84.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the preferred embodiment a
projector adapted for use in connection with the cartridge of the
present invention is equipped with a drive puck 94, which is
positioned in an arcuate channel 96 for movement to contact the rim
of a reel 12 positioned in the cartridge of the present invention.
The drive puck is shown in the rewind position in FIG. 11, as it
would be employed for rewinding film or for reverse projection, and
in the disengaged position for forward projection in FIG. 12. The
drive puck 94 has a central wheel which is covered with a friction
surface such as rubber.
The operation of the cartridge of the present invention, in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-12, is a very simple matter. The
cartridge is first opened by removing the cover 40, and a reel 12
containing film is properly positioned in the cartridge as shown in
FIG. 2. Proper positioning is facilitated by movement of the
flexible end portion 22 of the arcuate film guide member 20 to the
moved position 22' shown in FIG. 1. The reel 12 is then easily
slipped into position, so that the film guide member 20 penetrates
a short distance between the flanges of the reel 12. When properly
positioned, the reel 12 will rest on the reel spacer ridge 16 of
the reel receptacle 10.
After the reel 12 is properly positioned in the receptacle 10, the
cover 40 is placed on the receptacle 10 as previously described. If
the reel 12 is properly positioned in the receptacle 10, the
reel-bearing projection 46 will easily penetrate the central
opening 13 in the hub of the reel 12. Once the cartridge is
assembled with the film inside, projection is a very simple matter.
As shown in FIG. 11, the cartridge is simply positioned on a
projector having an automatic feed-out module designed for use with
this cartridge. The film will be fed from the cartridge into the
projector by automatic stripper means (not shown), and may also be
rewound back into the cartridge by use of the drive puck 94.
A second embodiment of the present invention, which employs a rigid
film guide, rather than one having a flexible end portion, is shown
in FIGS. 13-15. The reel receptacle of the second embodiment is
generally designated by reference numeral 110. As with the first
embodiment, the receptacle 110 has a flat back portion 114 and a
central, circular reel spacer ridge 116. An outer wall 118 is
generally perpendicular to the back portion 114, and is set in
slightly to form a flange 119 around the edges for proper
positioning of the cover. In this embodiment, the arcuate film
guide member 120 is rigidly mounted throughout its entire arc in
spaced relationship to the back portion 114, and positioned to
penetrate the space between the flanges of a reel along an upper
portion of the reel. Again, the film guide member 120 cannot
penetrate between the flanges along the entire periphery of the
reel 12 since this would prevent film from being withdrawn from the
reel 12. Mounted adjacent to and perpendicular to the back portion
14 is a circular reel positioner abutment 122, which aids in
properly positioning the reel within the receptacle 110. The
function of this positioner abutment 122 is simply to maintain the
reel in proper position when the cover is placed on the receptacle
110, and it should be understood that the rotation of the reel 130
is preferably not guided by the positioner abutment 122.
As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-12, the receptacle 110 has
a rewind opening 124 in the side of the outer wall 118. In
addition, the film guide member 120 does not form a complete
circle, but leaves a gap 128 at the bottom of the reel receptacle
110, to permit film to be withdrawn from the assembled
cartridge.
The manner in which a reel is inserted into the cartridge
receptacle 110 is illustrated in FIG. 14, wherein the reel is
designated by reference numeral 130. To insert the reel 130 into
the receptacle 110, the reel 130 is simply tilted, and one flange
is inserted underneath the film guide member 120. By inserting the
flange under the end of the film guide member 120 adjacent to the
gap 128, insertion of the reel 130 is a simple matter.
The inside of the cover, generally designated by reference numeral
132, is shown in FIG. 15. The design of the cover 132 is basically
identical to the design of the cover 40 of the first embodiment
previously described. The cover 132 has a flat face portion 134 and
an outer wall 136 which is generally perpendicular to the flat face
portion 134, and positioned to fit over the outer wall 118 of the
reel receptacle 110. The cover 132 also has a rewind opening 138
and a gap 140 in the outer wall 136, to permit withdrawal of film
from the fully assembled cartridge. The cover 132 has a
reel-bearing projection 142 which projects from the flat face
portion 134 a distance sufficient to engage the central aperture of
a reel 130 positioned in the reel receptacle 110, and to form a
bearing surface therefore. Surrounding the reel-bearing projection
142 is a concentric reel spacer ridge 144 which prevents the reel
130 from contacting the flat face portion 134, which would cause
improper positioning as well as excessive friction.
In assembled relationship, the embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 appears
similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-12. However, the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 13-15 is intended for use with a larger size reel, so that
the rewind aperture must be positioned relatively lower in order to
be properly penetrated by the drive puck 94.
Referring to FIGS. 16-18, the cartridge of the present invention
can be constructed in a manner to receive a plurality of reels.
FIG. 16 illustrates a cartridge having a dual reel receptacle,
indicated generally by reference numeral 150, and having a
threading aperture (not shown) on each end. The reel receptacle 150
has a pair of covers 40. These covers 40 are identical to the cover
40 shown in FIGS. 5-8 with relation to the first embodiment. Of
course, a single, unitary cover (not shown) could also be employed.
In FIG. 16, one of the covers 40 has been removed to show a reel 12
in place, along with the interior detail of the reel receptacle
150. This interior detail is identical to that shown for the reel
receptacle 10 of FIGS. 1-4, and like parts are designated by like
reference numerals. Of course, the receptacle 150 could also be
constructed with film guide members that are rigid throughout their
entire arcs, and the interior detail would then be essentially
identical to that shown in FIG. 13.
To use the embodiment of FIG. 16, the cartridge is simply inserted
into the automatic feed-out module 82 in the manner shown in FIG.
11. After a reel of film from one cartridge has been shown, the
film is rewound back onto the reel 12 with the drive puck 94 in the
manner previously described. After the film has been rewound, the
cartridge is removed and rotated 180.degree., so that the reel
which was formerly on top is in the projection position.
FIGS. 17 and 18 show yet another embodiment, wherein four reels are
employed. In this embodiment, the film cartridge is rotatable, and
has a multiple reel receptacle, indicated by reference numeral 160.
The reel receptacle 160 has a central spindle aperture 162 and a
relatively flat back portion 164. The interior of the cartridge
includes reel spacer ridges which are positioned at an equal
distance from the spindle aperture 162, and at an equal distance
from one another, along with arcuate film guide members, each being
generally concentric with its associated reel spacer ridge, as in
the embodiments previously described. That is, the film guide
members may each have a flexible end portion, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, or the film guide members may each be rigid throughout its
entire arc, as shown in FIG. 13. The covers, designated by
reference numeral 166, are also of a similar design to those shown
in the embodiments previously described. However, the receptacle
160 and covers 166 must be shaped to permit the cartridge to be
rotated about the spindle opening 162 when mounted on a spindle,
while permitting the delivery of film to an automatic feed-out
module from any of the reels located in the receptacle. While a
circular shape would be satisfactory, the shape shown in FIG. 17,
wherein the corners are rounded, is equally suitable. In use, the
film is withdrawn from the cartridges with the corners, indicated
by the arrows, facing downwardly. The covers 166 and receptacle 160
have rewind openings 168, to permit each reel to be rewound while
it is in projection position before the cartridge is rotated for
projection of the next successive reel.
FIG. 18 shows a back view of the reel receptacle 160 shown in FIG.
17. The receptacle 160 preferably has a plurality of alignment
recesses 170 which are positioned in equal distance from the
spindle aperture 162, and are equally spaced around the back of the
reel receptacle 160. The function of the alignment recesses is to
engage suitable alignment means on a projector, such as a
spring-loaded ball (not shown) to maintain the cartridge in its
proper rotational position for projection of each reel. The number
of alignment recesses 120 is equal to the number of reels that the
cartridge is designed to contain.
In addition to the basic film cartridges previously described, the
present invention also provides a method for estimating the number
of feet in a strip of flexible material, such as film, on a reel,
together with a scale for measuring the amount of film remaining on
a reel, which scale may be incorporated into the cartridge of the
present invention.
In carrying out the method, a beam of light is projected between
the flanges of the reel in a manner so that the light beam is at
least partially interrupted or masked in accordance with the amount
of flexible material, such as film, on the reel. The beam is
collected on a collection surface, and the collection surface is
read to provide an estimate of the number of feet of film remaining
on the reel.
Referring again to FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment, the top end
of the cartridge has a scale 190 on the cover 40, this scale being
positioned for illumination by a beam of light from an external
light source, the beam passing upwardly through the cartridge and
between the flanges of the reel. In the most preferred embodiment,
as shown in FIG. 7, the scale 190 is inclined downwardly toward the
front of the cartridge. The scale 190 may be graduated in any
manner desired, and will preferably be graduated to provide an
estimate of the length of film remaining on the reel 12.
Referring ot FIG. 11, in order for the scale 190 to function, it is
necessary that the automatic feed-out module 82 incorporate a light
source 192 which is positioned so that the passage of the light
beam is at least partially masked by a strip of film on the reel
12. This is shown in FIG. 12, wherein the reel 12 and film 194 on
the reel 12 are shown by phantom lines. As indicated by broken
lines, a light beam 196 from the light source 192 passes upwardly
through the cartridge and between the flanges of the reel 12, and
is partially masked by the film 194 remaining on the reel 12. By
reading the scale 190, an estimate of the amount of film 194
remaining on the reel 12 can be made.
Referring to FIG. 5, the underside of the scale 190 is preferably
indented to form a generally horizontal light collection surface
198. While the scale 190 may simply employ a strip of
semi-transparent material, such as a "frosted" portion of the cover
40 or a frosted piece of glass, in the preferred embodiment means
will be provided for focusing the light and making the scale 190
easily readable. For example, a Fresnel lens may be placed on the
underside of the scale 190 along the light collection surface 198.
Alternatively, a plurality of focusing lenses may be placed on the
light collection surface 198. Since the cover 40 will generally be
made of plastic, which may be transparent, this Fresnel lens or
focusing lenses may be simply molded onto the light collection
surface 198. Other possibilities for improving the readability of
the scale 190 include the use of a "light bar" of
light-transmittent material molded into the cover 40, and a series
of apertures along the scale 190 providing illuminated numbers
indicating the amount of film 194 remaining on the reel 12.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as
hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope thereof and it is intended to cover in the
appended claims all such modifications and variations as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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